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A few days ago while I was driving my kids to IKEA and daydreaming of the next two children-free hours (yes, I do leave my kids at the children’s play area and stroll around the store for TWO HOURS ALONE=HEAVEN), I got nostalgic for the days when they were still little.

Mom: Yianni, I found a few pictures of you from when you were two years old and you were soooooooooooooooooo unbelievably cute. You were the sweetest little boy on earth. You even had curls, lots of them (he had these incredible curls which I refused to cut off which often resulted in him mistakenly being called a girl – I left this information out – obviously).

Yiannis: Curls?? No….(sort of blushing, extremely proud for the title I had just given him). Mom, I need to see these. Please show them to me when we get home, ok?

Mom: Sure, honey. Look at you now, all grown up. Going into first grade this year. I can’t believe how time has flown (not counting the zillion shitty moments when I pleaded with God to take me through this parenting ordeal as fast & as sane as possible).

Yiannis: What do you mean mom?

Mom: Oh honey, you grow up too fast. One minute your are small and helpless and the next you re off to (ok, not college) big kids school.

Yiannis: I have an idea. Have another baby, mom.

For all intents and purposes I should have probably paused for a while and told my kids in a sweet, calm and loving voice that that probably wouldn’t be such a great idea. Instead in a semi aggressive way I replied:

Mom: NO, honey. I won’t.

Yiannis: Why not mom?

Mom:I can’t afford another baby right now. WE can’t afford one right now.

Yiannis: What do you mean mom?

What I really wanted to say: If I had another baby right now I would probably be sent away to the mental institution but then I thought this MIGHT be too harsh for them so I used my grown up and mature voice to give them the logical explanation why we have decided to call it quits with No3.

Mom: You see honey, if we had another baby right now, we would have to do some changes. You would have to change schools. We would have to buy another car, you would have to share everything with him/her. Most importantly I would have less time for you & your sister. Especially in the beginning, babies need their mommy’s attention ALL THE TIME. I would no longer have the time I have for you two anymore. Would you like that?

3 Responses to “why don’t you have another baby, mom?”

sneaky! make your kids think they will lose you if you have another kid and you’re home free. Very mature Tati. Just pulling your leg! In my humble opinion, a third kid is a very tough choice to make and unless the couple REALLY wants it, should be avoided as it will put a huge strain on the houses finances (something to take into consideration in Greece these days).

Oh T, my eldest would like another so my youngest won’t boss her too much. That ship has sailed for me anyway because I’ve had surgery. Buuuut, as much as I have entertained the idea before, I love having two… I, like you, would be driven insane with three or four or five…imagine!!! I love how you reasoned out with the kids, enough for them to realize they do not want to change their lifestyle right now 🙂 You made it seem like their decision. I love when I get to do that… Doesn’t always work, when it does… I could scream with happiness.
xxx